Insights & Takeaways
Insights & Takeaways is Sutherland Institute’s official blog that informs the public and policymakers alike. The blog addresses important issues through the two distinct yet complementary lenses of the seasoned policy professional and the engaged citizen.
Insights: analysis, research, and informed commentary from Sutherland experts. For elected officials and public policy professionals.
Takeaways: the most important things voters need to know. For civically engaged citizens.
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Constitutional norms provide room for people to act on their beliefs
Read More: Constitutional norms provide room for people to act on their beliefsIndividual faith is a powerful motivation, although survey data indicates that religious beliefs may not be a significant driver of state policies.
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If Utah dumps letter grades for schools, what comes next?
Read More: If Utah dumps letter grades for schools, what comes next?HB 308 would remove the letter A-F scores that schools receive on the Utah School Report Card. Supporters of the bill say parents need more nuance about what’s happening at…
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We can, and should, support both education choice and traditional schools
Read More: We can, and should, support both education choice and traditional schoolsEducation choice is sweeping the nation. State legislatures in West Virginia, Arizona, Iowa, and Utah have passed universal education choice scholarships in the past couple of years. Similar legislation is…
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This year’s education legislation reflects state constitution’s common-good approach
Read More: This year’s education legislation reflects state constitution’s common-good approachAlthough high-profile education choice legislation has already passed, legislators are pursuing additional bills to reward teachers and expand special-needs scholarships.
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Behind Sutherland’s amicus brief in Utah abortion case
Read More: Behind Sutherland’s amicus brief in Utah abortion caseThe state’s argument in defense of the “trigger law” cites the Sutherland Institute brief in responding to the plaintiffs’ religious freedom claims before the Utah Supreme Court.
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Australia may move in wrong direction by clamping down on religious school accommodations
Read More: Australia may move in wrong direction by clamping down on religious school accommodationsReligious schools that see education as an opportunity for transformation rather than a transaction help benefit students as well as the broader society.
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Microgrants in Utah: another path to individualized education
Read More: Microgrants in Utah: another path to individualized educationThe microgrant created in HB 394 offers funds to pay for services or materials to supplement a child’s education but not to fund a parent’s choice of school.
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Sound principles, data should guide how we prepare the next generation
Read More: Sound principles, data should guide how we prepare the next generationA principle that unifies Utahns across ideologies is preparation of the next generation for a life of success and happiness.
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Religious participation seems to help guard against ‘deaths of despair’
Read More: Religious participation seems to help guard against ‘deaths of despair’Other social activities would also help, but data shows religious participation may be uniquely valuable.
